Suspension assembly



July 16, 1968 c. A. KLr-:ss 3,392,420

SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f www July 16,1968 c. A. KLEss 3,392,420

SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l:

INVENTOR. C/Q A. [(55'5' United States Patent O 3,392,420 SUSPENSIONASSEMBLY Carl A. Kless, Whittier, Calif., assgnor to Curran Productions,Hollywood, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Sept. 2, 1965, Ser.No. 484,699 4 Claims. (Cl. 16-87;6)

ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A curtain suspension assembly having a pair ofelongated, laterally spaced rail's, and a plurality of curtain carrierssupported by and movable along the rails. A master carrier extendsupwardly between the rails to be secured to a curtain draw cable, andall the carriers extend downwardly between therails to be coupled to acurtain. Plastic plates on the sides of the carriers preventmetal-to-metal contact between the carriers and the rails, and acushioning material on the ends of the carriers provides eicientguidance and quiet operation.

Background of the invention The subject invention relates to structurefor suspending and moving objects and, more particularly, to an assemblyfor suspending and moving curtains.

The invention will be specifically described in connection with theatrecurtains, although it is not necessarily so limited.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the demand for curtainsuspension and handling equipment that could move heavy curtains alongcurved tracks. Existing systems that were designed to satisfy thisdemand are rather complicated and,`as a rule, have to be pre-formed atthe factory to define the desired curves.

The present invention provides a curtain suspension and moving assemblythat is relatively simple in structure, provides for a very reliableoperation, and permits the desired curves in the track to be formed onlocation.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a track structure anda plurality of curtain carriers movable along the track structure. Thetrack structure includes a pair of rails mounted in spaced parallelrelationship and jointly defining a pair of substantially vertical bightportions, a first pair of legs extending toward each other from thelower edges of the bight portions and defining a first elongated slittherebetween, and a second pair of legs extending toward each other fromthe upper edges of the bight portions and defining a second elongatedslit therebetween. The plurality of curtain carriers includes a mastercarrier having a carrier body that extends substantially verticallybetween the pair of rails of the track structure. This carrier bodyextends further through the above-mentioned first elongated slit to afirst region below the above-mentioned iirst pair of legs. The carrierbody has curtain suspension means attached thereto in this first region.The carrier body moreover extends through the second elongated slit to asecond region above the above-mentioned second pair of legs. The carrierbody has draw cable attachment means connected thereto in this secondregion. The master carrier further includes at least one wheel rotatablyconnected to the carrier body and located between one leg of theabove-mentioned first pair of legs and a corresponding one leg of theabovementioned second pair of legs. The master carrier in this preferredembodiment moreover includes at least one wheel rotatably connected tothe carrier body and located between the other leg of theabove-mentioned rst pair of legs and the other leg of theabove-mentioned second pair of legs. l

The track structure employed in this embodiment is characterized bygreat simplicity, since each of the two 3,392,420 Patented July 16, 1968ICC rails has a simple, substantially U-shaped profile. The spacialarrangement of the rails according to this embodiment is also veryadvantageous, since it provides a combination of various featurespresently to be described.

First, the two rails act as guards in that they encloseand protect thewheels of the carriages. At the same time, the rails provide a pair oflegs on which the carriage wheels can travel. In addition, the railsprovide a further pair of legs which extend above the carriage wheelsand which prevent these wheels from jumping track.

Moreover, the two rails provide not only a first slit through which thecarriage body may extend, but also a second, upper slit through whichparts of the master carrier may extend for the attachment of means forconnecting the curtain draw cable. The curtain draw cable thus extendsabove the two rails and acts on the carrier in a plane located midwaybetween opposite rollers. This promotes the ease of operation and theguiding of the master carrier and the draw cable around curves, as willbecome more readily apparent as this description proceeds.

The invention also provides a curtain suspension assembly whichcomprises a curved track structure including a pair of spaced rails, anda plurality of movable curtain carriers. Each carrier includes wheelsdisposed for movement along the rails in one direction of travel andalso in an opposite direction of travel. Each carrier further includes acarrier body for mounting the wheels and suspending a curtain portion.Each carrier body defines a rst sub-stantially vertical edge portionfacing in the abovementioned one direction of travel, and a secondsubstantially vertical edge portion facing in the opposite direction oftravel. Each carrier body further includes a sheet of a pliablematerial, such as felt, extending from the above mentioned :firstvertical edge to the second vertical edge of the carrier body anddefining a first cushion at the first vertical edge and a second cushionat the second vertical edge.

During the operation of the assembly, the carriers, which are lined upalong the track, move into contact with one another. Each first cushionof a carrier as defined above then abuts the second cushion of the nextadjacent carrier. These cushions dampen the impact of adjacent carriersand reduce undesirable noise.

In some instances it may be found that a sufficiently quiet operation isobtained although cushions are not provided on each and every carrierbody. For example, the above mentioned first and second cushions may, ifdesired, be provided only on alternate carrier bodies. In this case,each cushion on a carrier body will abut an exposed edge of the nextadjacent carrier body.

On the other hand, a carrier body is able to exert a certain guidingaction on an adjacent carrier body if these bodies are both providedwith abutting cushions. This guiding action is due to the frictionbetween abutting cushions of pliable material, which becomesparticularly pronounced if felt or a similar fibrous material is used.

The invention and further features thereof will become readily apparentfrom the following detailed description of a preferred embodimentthereof, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. l is a schematic perspective View of sections of a stage whichemploys a curved curtain track;

FIG. 2 is a section of a curtain track assembly according to theinvention, as seen along line II-II in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line III-III in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The stage 10 shown in FIG. l is of a curved configuration. The track 11conforms to such configuration so as to move the curtain 12 accordingly.Of course. the curtain can also be moved along curved paths if the stageis for example rectangular. It will be noted that the track 11 in FIG. 1describes double bends, such as at 14 and 15. These double bends renderthe proper movement of the curtain and the guidance of the carriers andcables particularly diicult.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show a curtain suspension and moving assembly 20 whichcan handle this problem. The assembly 20 comprises a track structure 21and a plurality of curtain carriers 22 movable along the trackstructure.

The track structure includes a pair of rails 24 and 25 mounted in spacedparallel relationship. The rails jointly deine a pair of substantiallyvertical bight portions 26 and 27, a rst pair of legs 28 and 29, and asecond pair of legs 30 land 31.

The legs 28 and 29 extend toward each other from the lower edges of thebight portions 26 and 27 and dene a first elongated slit 33therebetween. The legs 30 and 31 extend toward each other from the upperedges of the two bight portions and define a second elongated slit 35therebetween.

The rails 24 and 25 are mounted in the position shown by a plurality ofbrackets 37. Each of these brackets has a base 39 with holes 40 for themounting of the base 39 to a ceiling by means of bolts or similarfastening devices. A first mounting leg 42 is Welded to and extendsdownwardly from the base 39. Rail 24 is mounted on the leg 42 by meansof a counter sunk screw 43 and a nut 44. A second mounting leg 46 iswelded to and extends downwardly from the base 39 to mount the rail 25by means of a counter sunk screw 47 and a nut 48.

The carriers 22 include a master carrier 50 and a plurality of singlecarriers 51. The master carrier has a substantially at, plate-likecarrier body 53 which extends vertically between the two rails 24 and25. The carrier body 53 extends through the slit 33 to a region belowthe track structure 21. The carrier body 53 also extends through theupper slit 35 to a region above the two track rails.

In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier body 53 ,is composed of twometal plates or straps 55 sandwiched between a pair of non-metallicplates 56 and 57 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The plates 56 and 57, which may beof a tough plastic or another wear-resistant but noise-dampeningmaterial, effectively cover the sides of the central metal straps 55 soas to prevent their contact with the rails 24 and 25. This provides fora more quiet operation and prevents damage t-o the outer edges of therail legs 28, 29, 30 and 31. The carriage body 53 can thus engage theserail edges for proper guidance around bends without damage to thecarrier or the rails and without undesirable excessive noise.

Each of the straps 55 has an aperture 59 near its lower edge (see FIG.3). Swivel members 60 engage the plates 55 at these apertures and carrychains 61 on which the curtain is suspended.

Tubular members 63 are welded to the metal straps 55 along the upperedges thereof above the slit 35. These tubular members are capable ofreceiving a curtain draw cable l64. Screws 65 in lthe tubular members`63 hold the cable in such member so that the master carrier 50 will bemoved back and forth along the track 21 if the draw cable 64 is movedaccordingly. If desired, one of the tubular members 63 may receive oneend (not shown) of the cable 64, while the other tubular member 63 mayreceive the other cable end (not shown).

The master `carrier 50 further includes wheels 67 rotatably mounted bythe arbors 68 that are attached to the carrier body 53. In theillustrated embodiment, the arbors connect the plates 56 and 57 to thestraps 55 and there are two wheels on either side of the master carrierbody. If desired there may be only one wheel on each side, or two wheelson one side and one wheel on the other side. The number of wheels oneach side may also be greater than two.

The legs 28 and 29 of the rails 24 and 25 provide a pair of tracks forthe carrier wheels. The upper rail legs 30 and 31 act as guards andguiding aids in that they prevent the wheels `67 from jumping track. Tothis end, the bight portions 26 and 27 of `the two rails may bedimensioned such that the clearance between wheels 67 and leg portion 30or 31 is preferably from 3/16 linch down to about 1/16 inch. For ease ofoperation, the wheels 67 may be mounted on roller bearings (not shown),and may be provided with rubber tires or rims.

A first plurality of rollers 70, one of which is apparent from FIG. 2and two of which are shown in FIG. 3, and a corresponding secondplurality of rollers 71, are provided for guiding the draw cable 64. Therollers 70 of the first plurality are spaced along and mounted above therail 24, and the rollers 71 of the second plurality are spaced along andmounted above the rail 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracketbases 39 mount the rollers 70 and 71 by means of arbors 72 and 73 sothat the roller axes extend vertically. 'Each bracket base 39 thusmounts one of the rollers 70 and one of the rollers 71. The draw cable`64 is thus guided and protected against fouling on either side. Nearand at bent portions of the track, the brackets 37 are installed closertogether so as to increase their guiding and protective action. Thebasic simplicity of these brackets and of the rails 24 and 25 lendsitself to the provision of the desired track bends on location. Ifdesired, the rollers 70 and 71 may be moved closer together so as toexercise a closer guiding action on the cable 64 while still permittingthe tubular members 63 to pass.

Each bracket 37 moreover mounts a roller 75 rotatably disposed on anarbor 76. The plurality of rollers 75 thus provided serves the guidanceof the return loop 77 of the draw cable 64. Fouling of the cable isavoided by providing the rollers 75 outside of both mounting legs 42 and46. A lug member 79 below roller 75 protects the return loop 77.

The single carriers 51 are similar in structure to the master carriers50, in that they have a metal plate 80 sandwiched between a pair ofnon-metallic or plastic plates 81 and 82. The plates 80, 81 and 82extend through the lower slit 33. The center plate 80 has an aperture 85provided near the lower edge thereof (see FIG. 3). A swivel 86 engagesthe plate 80 at this aperture and carries a short length of chain 88which, in turn, carries the curtain. The single carriers 51 furtherinclude a pair of arbors 90 which rotatably mount a wheel 91 on eachside of the single carrier body and mount the plates 81 and 82 on theplate 80. These wheels travel along the track structure in the samemanner as the wheels 67 of the master carrier 50.

Each carrier body has a vertically extending edge 94 facing in onedirection of travel of the carriers and a substantially verticallyextending edge 95v facing in the opposite direction of travel. A sheet97 of a pliable, shock and sound dampening material, such as felt,extends between the plates 80 and 81 from the vertical edge 94 to thevertical edge 95. A similar sheet 98 extends between the plates 80 and82 from the edge 94 to the edge 95. Sheets 97 and 98 form a pair ofcushions 100 and 101 at the vertical edge 94 and a pair of cushions 102and 103 at the vertical edge 95.

The cushions 100 and 101 and the cushions 102 and 103 are connected tothe edge portions 94 and 95, `respectively, by an adhesive. If desired,the sheets 97 and 98 may also be glued to the plates 81 and 82,respectively. Felt sheets with an adhesive backing may be used for thispurpose.

When during the operation of the assembly adjacent carriers move intomutual abutment, the cushions 100 and 101 of one carrier move intocontact with the cushions 102 and 103 of the next adjacent carrier. Thisdampens shocks and noise. The fact that the cushions are formed by asheet which extends through the carrier body prevents the cushions frombeing torn off and lost. It also lends a certain tenacity to theadhesive bond between the edges of the carrier body and the cushions.

It will now be appreciated that the subject invention provides a seriesof substantial improvements which facilitate the handling of heavycurtains around bends and curves and which provide for an easierinstallation and a quieter and more reliable operation.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modiications withinthe spirit and scope of the invention are possible or will suggestthemselves.

What is claimed is:

1. A curtain suspension assembly comprising a track structure and aplurality of curtain carriers movable along the track structure, thetrack structure including a pair of rails mounted in spaced parallelrelationship and jointly defining a pair of substantially vertical bightportions, a lirst pair of legs extending toward each other from thelower edges of the bight portions and dening a rst elongated slittherebetween, and a second pair of legs extending toward each other fromthe upper edges of the bight portions and defining a second elongatedslit therebetween, and said plurality of curtain carriers including amaster carrier having a carrier body extending substantially verticallybetween the pair of rails and extending through said rst elongated slitto a first region below the first pair of legs and having curtainsuspension means attached thereto in said first region, and through saidsecond elongated slit to a second region above the second pair of legsand having draw cable attachment means connected thereto in said secondregion, said master carrier further including at least one wheelrotatably connected to said carrier body and located between one leg ofsaid lirst pair of legs and a corresponding one leg of said second pairof legs, and at least one wheel rotatably connected to said carrier bodyand located between the other leg of said rst pair of legs and the otherleg of said second pair of legs, said assembly including a firstplurality of rollers and a second plurality of rollers for guiding adraw cable connected to said cable attachment means, the rollers of saidrst plurality being spaced along one of said rails and being mountedabove said one rail with their axes extending substantially vertically,and the rollers of said second plurality being spaced along the otherrail of said pair and being mounted above .said other rail with theiraxes extending substantially vertically.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, including a third plurality ofrollers for guiding a draw cable return loop, the rollers of said thirdplurality being spaced along the pair of rails and being mountedlaterally of the pair of rails with their axes extending substantiallyvertically.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, including a plurality of bracketsfor mounting said rails and said rollers, each bracket including a basehaving a roller of said first plurality and a roller of said secondplurality of rollers rotatably mounted thereon, a first mounting legextending from said base and being adapted to mount the bight portion ofone of said rails, and a second mounting leg extending substantiallyparallel to said first mounting leg and being adapted to mount the bightportion of the other one of said rails.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein each bracket furthermounts to one side of said mounting legs a roller for guiding a returnloop of a draw cable.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,433,647 10/1922 Phillips 16-962,654,114 10/1953 Graber et al. 16-87.6 2,892,419 6/ 1959 King 104--94XR 3,178,760 4/1965 Kalal et al 16-87.6 1,855,037 4/1932 Vroom 16-87.62,812,534 ll/l957 Graber 16-87.6 3,098,520 7/1963 Greenstadt et al160-346 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. JOSEPH H. MCGLYNN,Assistant Examiner.

